Rain Barrels in New Orleans

Aaron designed a rain diverter for The Edible Schoolyard at The Samuel J. Green Charter School New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. His challenge was to make a unit that plugged directly into an existing oversized drainage pipe to fill a rain barrel to be used for a nearby butterfly garden. He mailed his ingenious plug-in diverter with easy to follow instructions as a kit and with help from community organizers, families and students, the day was a complete success!

Anna Smith Sr. Project Geologist Kleinfelder East wrote:

Thank you again for your donation, you are truly helping a new generation of children to learn to be self-sufficient and end the grip of the poverty cycle. This school takes up a whole block and there are homes that face the school across the street, and this community has actually started harvesting their water from their gutters and is watering gardens with it. The school apparently does a “demo-day” on the second Saturday of every month and teaches the community about gardening and resources. Your rain barrel turned into a whole tutorial and the community went home and made their own!

Related News:
President Bush Visits Samuel J. Green Charter School

Rain Barrel Display

“Your rain barrel display was a big hit.” -Helen H. Childers - Festival of Flowers Director Mobile, Alabama.

The festival is a 5 day flower show featuring life sized gardens within 300,000 sq. ft of tents. Their special feature this year was green living display called the Frogmore estate that featured a vegetative roof, shredded newspaper insulation, north south site orientation for maximum sunlight effect, and recycled construction products and one of our oak rain barrels with a painted diverter to blend into the trim.

External Media:
Festival of Flowers 2008 Press Release

Rainwater by nature is a soft water, void of harsh chemicals or pollutants, usually hitting the soil in its purest form. Rainwater is the most precious source of freshwater on earth, and the most readily available, as only 3/10 of 1% of all the worlds water supply is available in the forms of freshwater reserves such as streams, rivers and lakes. Rain is perfect for indoor and outdoor plants.

How much can I collect?

The amount of rainwater you can collect depends on three factors: The amount of rainfall in a given downpour, the size of your catchment area and the maximum capacity of your storage device (in this case I assume a rain barrel).

Rainfall: This is usually calculated in inches with a rain gauge, or can be predicted by consulting historical records in an almanac or local weather stations and other meteorological and climatic sources.

How often does rain fall where you live and how much tends to fall in what given parts of the year, exactly?

Catchment Area: Looking at a birds eye view of your roof (from directly above), what is the total geometrical area of space available for rain to fall on? That is the total amount of area that will actually catch and redirect water to be harvested (think in two dimensions only, like looking at a bullseye target).

Rainfall in inches, times the catchment area in square feet should render the amount of gallons that have fallen on your roof. The standard calculation is for every single inch of rainfall, on 1,000 square feet of catchment area; 600 gallons of rainwater are thus available.

1 in. (of rainfall) * 1,000 sq.ft. (of catchment area) = 600 gal. (of collectable rainwater)
Maximum Capacity: You should choose a maximum capacity for your rain barrel that is small enough to move around, maintenance and clean and yet meets your rainwater needs throughout your dry spells. The longer the dry spell, the more rain barrels you may need to link up between overflow valves. Do this by calculating how much rainwater you use during those dry spells (gpm or gallons per minute), and knowing which is the harshest (gpm * minutes used * total days of harshest dry period = maximum need), prepare to meet your needs for that one driest moment of the year, and you will be self-reliant all year!

• Downspout Diverter

• Gutterless Barrel

• Horse Barrels

• Irrigation System

• Oak Whiskey Barrel

• Rain Chain Barrels

• Standard Rain Barrel

How-To:

• Make a rain barrel stand

• Rain Barrel Care

• Rain Barrel Installation

• Rain Barrel Paint

Learning:

• Mosquito Hawks

• Rain Barrel Facts

Support:

• About

• Contact

• Custom Rain Barrels

• Frequently Asked Questions

• Rain Barrel Options

• Testimonials

Options:

• Order Form

• Mail Order Form

Workshop:

• Rain Barrel in Winter

• Community Involvement

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

Step #1 - Select a Product:

58 Gallon Standard Rain Barrel - $150.00
58 Gallon Irrigation System - $175.00
Temporarily out of stock -53 Gallon Whiskey Barrel and Diverter - $275 plus $25 shipping
53 Gallon Rain Chain Barrel - $250.00 plus $25 shipping
55 Gallon Gutterless Rain Barrel - $140.00
15 Gallon Downspout Diverter - $115
55 Gallon Horse Barrels (barrel racing) - $99

Step #2 - Special Options (Free)

Overflow valves, spigots and irrigations spigots can be installed on the left, right or center of your rain barrels. By default, the overflow valves and spigots are installed front center and the irrigation spigot on the irrigation system is installed on the right. The default positions are the most logical but we like to offer this option for those who would like something more specific.

Do you want me to email you after you checkout to discuss these special options?

Yes
No thanks!

Step #3 - Overflow Valve Upgrade (Free)

Note: oak whiskey barrel does not require overflow, all others make your choice here.

Default 3/4 Inch Overflow Valve - Thread for regular garden hose

Free 1 1/2 Upgrade - PVC Overflow works with standard 1 1/2 sump pump hose

Why would someone need a larger overflow valve?

By default when our standard rain barrel fills rainwater will go out the overflow valve and down an ordinary garden hose but what happens when there is a HUGE downpour?

Simple, some goes out the overflow valve and the rest of the rainwater goes out another downspout tube on your home because it is a larger exit point.

What if you do not have another downspout tube or your rooftop is very large and produces too much rain water during a storm?

Have us install a larger 1 1/2" overflow valve so it is able to direct larger amounts of water away from your home thru ordinary sump pump hose that can be purchased at any Home Depot for $10. People use this option for filling goldfish ponds, directing storm water runoff, drying up wet basements and unwanted backyard swamps.

Do you want us to install the larger 1 1/2" overflow valve on your rain barrel(s)?

Yes
No
No thanks!

If you are purchasing an "Irrigation System" please contact us after the checkout if you want the irrigation spigot to be installed on the left instead of the default position. Have any other needs? Talk to us we are all about options!

Feel free to add a note for us to read.

Enter information below so we can prepare your order before your check arrives.

Step #4 - Print and Submit this form

Please print this form and mail to:

Aaron Pratt
100 Priest Street
Leominster, MA 01453

Checks are deposited on the day they are received so items can be shipped as soon as possible.

After printing the above form, please click submit so we can start working on your order right away.

Thank You!

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

Aaron’s Rain Barrels
86 Watertower Plaza #174
Leominster, MA 01453
Phone: 978.790.1816
Fax: 775.628.4325

We would love to put 4-6 of your whiskey barrel rain barrels around our house in the Pacific Northwest. However, we want to use them with our existing rain chains, not downspouts and diverters. Is there a way we could have barrels that don’t use a hose for intake?

The answer was yes, I often make barrels to accommodate rain chains per request, here are a few pictures of Lyssa’s installed barrels on her beautiful “all-wood” home using nice thick cuts of anchor chain. The top of the barrel uses tough black outdoor PVC screen that is tightened down by the barrel hoop to maintain its natural appearance, all water that hits it is absorbed efficiently. The rain chain in the image is extremely heavy but no worries; the screen up top can also handle a considerable amount of weight.

Lyssa had not yet attached all the garden hoses, (on each barrel she requested a regular spigot, irrigation spigot and 3/4″ overflow) which gives her three opportunities (per barrel) to run water to specific areas of the yard.

Lyssa noted that she painted the barrel hoops with brown Rustoleum paint to preserve them (though this is not required).

Here are more images of barrels and rain chains:

Rain Chain Barrel and Rooftop Overhang

Rain Chain and Brick, Nice!

Rain Chain Barrel on Garage

Rain barrels to use with rain chains?

Yeah, I make them, thanks for the inspiration Lyssa!

	Barrels to be used with Rain Chains.
	Rain Chain Barrels come with the same standard fittings of the whiskey barrel and diverter setup (spigot and irrigation spigot) plus a 3/4″ overflow valve as seen on our options page. If you would like a larger overflow valve Talk to Aaron. Thank you! $250 plus $25 shipping Thanks for helping out with the shipping cost, it is well over $100 to ship these units. See other barrels	(or) Order by Mail

Shipping Information:

Will Ship to anywhere in the United States (Alaska and Hawaii please e-mail us for a quote).

Units shipped Friday (Fed-ex Ground)

Tracking data sent to you via e-mail per request.

Please remember to include a phone number to give Fed-Ex when you make your purchase.

All our Rain Barrels are 100% insured for safe delivery.

Here are some easy steps to make a simple rain barrel stand, but first let me list the supplies you will need.

• Retaining Wall Blocks
• Mortal Mix - Don’t want to mix concrete mortar? Buy a tube of concrete cement and save time!
• Gravel - To use as a filler.
• Shovel - To mix mortar.
• Spade - To apply the mortar to the concrete blocks.
• Wheel Barrow - To mix the mortar in.

Visit your local home center or stone store to choose enough retaining wall stone (in a color you prefer) to make a half (or whole) circle 2-3 layers high. To determine the amount just lay it out, this will give you a rough estimate of how many you will need before you purchase. Got two or more barrels? Make yourself an oval or square shaped stand. What’s good about retaining wall block is that it interlocks and allows you to “round” corners easily.

In my case I had some extra old patio stone which I leveled in the ground to build my rain barrel stand on but as long as the ground is firm, you should be able to build yours without issue directly on the soil. If you want to put down some gravel and tamp it down this can also “sure up” soft ground. The idea is to not have to go back and repair your stand once it is finished.

See the raised area on the back end of each retaining wall block pictured above? I placed them up to show you the “interlock” area. Place these raised rims down to allow the next layer of block to interlock. Confused yet? It will all make perfect sense when you get your supplies.

Follow the directions on the concrete mortar bag (usually as simple as adding a gallon of water and mixing) and apply it to your retaining wall pieces (with your spade or even a small hand shovel) to glue them together in a shape that you prefer. Make sure you do not use too much on the outside edge because mortar is gray, so if you chose a red block it might not look that professional.

I shaped my wall tight to inner concrete blocks for added support.

Now just fill your better looking rain barrel stand with gravel and level it off, done! Think about planting flowers or a hardy ivy at it’s base to make it more natural and pleasing to the eye. My plan is to remove the lawn, contour the ground, add pea gravel, bonsai and a small water garden but that is a project for another day.

Aaron,

I finally finished installing the rain barrels. It took me a while to build the platform and enclose them with lattice. I painted the barrels per your instructions and they turned out great, as you can see. Your design for connecting 2 barrels was excellent. Right after I finished the installation, it rained! Now that’s what I call great customer service especially since we’re in the middle of a historic drought in the Atlanta area. I strongly recommend your rain barrels to everyone. Thanks.

Nice rain barrel stand and trellis Mike! -Aaron

If you are also interested in custom rain barrels feel free to contact Aaron anytime.

All our standard rain barrels can be seen by visiting our home page or you can read a few more testimonials.

Abby Sheldon-Dean from Vermont wrote:

Hi Aaron,

Just wanted to let you know that Jim’s Mom loves her new rain barrel! It was a snap to get set up with the chain and it’s simply beautiful. We enjoyed meeting you and are delighted by the result of our rain barrel search. Thanks so much and wishing you much joy and peace.

Abby

Matt Schnizer wrote:

Hi Aaron, just wanted to give you an update on the status of my rain barrel. Since there was rain in the forecast, I made an effort to get it in place for the rare event. After leveling the ground, getting the blocks and cutting the gutters etc. the barrel is already full after receiving 0.16″ of rain.

Verity S. from Boulder CO wrote:

From the moment I saw Aaron’s rain barrels, I knew they were perfect for my needs. With our hot, dry and very sunny climate, I needed barrels that were extremely hardy, and also, a system that could hold lots of water. Rain is infrequent here in the summer, and when we do get rain, it is often a thunderstorm that brings very heavy rain for a short time. Aaron recommended the rain mammoth system (2-4 barrel system can be made per request), which has a larger overflow capacity that can be run 21 ft or more away from my house.

Aaron was very patient in answering all my questions and always replied promptly. He was very accommodating, cutting out all the holes in the right locations to meet my needs. I was so excited when they arrived (on-time as promised!) and got it set up immediately. Now I await some rain!

Thanks a lot Aaron!
Verity

Teachers Jackie Hurtado & Linda Hansen of Parkside Elementary School in Pittsburg, California

Linda Hansen and I teach fifth grade in a job share program and we began a 5th grade garden 3 years ago that has gradually been growing. The students have been involved in all aspects of the garden, including painting, and planting raised beds. A primary focus of our instruction has been on Integrated Pest Management and Water Conservation. Last year we wrote a grant and received $2000 from the Aquatic Outreach Institute (now called the Watershed Project). We are very happy with the seven rain barrels which we bought from you. They look very attractive and are full of water from our last rains.

Thank you,
Jackie Hurtado & Linda Hansen

Dave Wilby from Texas wrote:

After two previously disastrous attempts at finding rain barrels that can cope with the Texas summer, I’m delighted to say that your product has exceeded my expectations, in fit, finish and durability.

The "sealed" design is a bonus that has allowed us to use the entire yard without the constant threat of mosquitoes, and is a major plus for anybody with a young family.

I can heartily recommend your products to anybody in the market for a first class rain barrel.

Keep up the good work!
Yours,
Dave Wilby

Tyler from Burlington KY:

Uses a custom rain barrel for drip irrigation and the 1 1/2 overflow valve to fill his nice goldfish pond. His wife didn’t want the rain barrel near the house until she saw what it can do! Nice work teaching your wife about water conservation and getting that rain barrel right where you wanted it.

Don Huffman from Indiana wrote:

Hi Aaron,

The two rain barrels that I recently purchased from you are now filled to the brim with rain water. We have been blessed the last two days with refreshing showers, and I was quite amazed that the barrels filled so quickly. I remarked to my wife that there probably wouldn’t be enough water to fill them. Boy, was I wrong!! I buried the hoses that are connected to the overflows and have directed them to the gardens that are located at both ends of our home.

In addition, I made use of the info. that you sent pertaining to the silicone caulk, and repaired my old rain barrel that had the broken spigot. This is the only sealant that has kept this rain barrel from leaking. A big Thank You to you for this help. I’ve utilized cinder blocks to assure that the barrels are on firm foundations.

Don

Craig and Emily Collier wrote:

I’ll say one thing for you Aaron, it sounds as if you’ve really put a lot more thought into your designs, as opposed to the guys who are container brokers and are doing the rain barrel thing as a side line to their plastic container business.

Thanks for your replies to our questions. You, not only had the best price but, more than anything else, you actually answered our inquiries & did so promptly. We are really excited about getting this in & getting it up and running. All our friends and neighbors, I am sure, will be curious. We’ll be happy to refer them to you.

Best Regards,
Craig & Emily Collier

Donald Schone wrote:

Aaron,

I’m very satisfied with both of my rain barrels. After last year’s drought we have had record rain falls this year so I haven’t been as dependent on them. But I expect to use them for many years to come due to the quality construction I have no doubts they will last a long time. It’s surprising how quickly they will fill up and I can water my entire garden with one barrel, also a has a very good flow rate.

Take care,
Don

Gina Roberts wrote:

Hello Aaron,

We love our rain barrel. With the plentiful rain this summer, it has stayed full. The best thing about the rain barrel is that I can water potted plants with fresh rainwater and do not have to drag the water hose out and across the yard.

I am considering getting a second rain barrel to connect to the existing one!!

Thank you for a wonderful, useful and affordable product.

Keep up the good work.

Gina Roberts

Judy Galloway from Rhode Island MA wrote:

As you will see in the photo…the spout that runs into it has quite a configuration…the husband tries…but usually I don’t let him use any power tools”!

Anonymous Gardener from Georgia wrote:

Aaron’s Rain Barrel Makers,

I have enjoyed using my new rain barrel; it is well constructed and sturdy; the spigot is easy to use; the rain barrel also adds a delightful touch to my garden as well as being environmentally sensitive (recycled materials and water!).

Chris from Martins Creek , PA wrote:

I live in an old stone house built in the 1700s and was looking for a rainbarrel that would fit the antique character of the house. Aaron’s whiskey barrel was perfect solution. Aaron answered all of my questions (I had a lot!) promptly and worked with me to custom design the rain barrel so I could easily connect it to my uncommon gutters. It looks as if it’s been there for years! I have lots of garden beds and plants to water, but I don’t think I’ll be able to keep up with all the water it can hold.

Thank you Aaron for your friendly service and top-notch quality product.

Laura from Ohio wrote:

Dear Aaron,

First of all, the service was very prompt. You replied quickly with an order acknowledgement and then they arrived promptly via Fed-ex. I am a hobby gardener who also has a greenhouse so rain barrels were a perfect choice for “free” water. My husband installed them on the downspout that runs off the roof of our barn and set them up on cinder blocks to ensure stability and so I could get my watering cans under the brass spigot. I was shocked to see that they filled up so quickly! It was great!

Furthermore, my plants and gardens love the rainwater and thrive on it! I even give my dogs their baths with it! Unlike past years, I have not had to pay for any water for my gardens or other outdoor tasks this year. That makes me very happy! Thanks again for making it so easy!

Regards,
Laura

Linda Lucier from Van Wert, OH wrote:

Aaron:

I have attached a picture of one of the rainbarrels I received from you. The yew bush conceals it from view when looking at the front of our house. I have 3 large flower boxes along our front windows and the roof overhang stops the rain from getting to them, so the rainbarrel was invaluable this year for that purpose alone.

I also go ‘container crazy’ with annuals and was able to keep them watered this summer exclusively with stored rain water. Thank you for providing a cost effective, quality product.

Sincerely,
Linda Lucier

Kate Foster wrote:

Hi,

I am Evans mom and the rain barrel is actually mine. You may certainly quote me, your rain barrel is much more sturdy and well-built than that of my neighbor, who paid almost twice as much. The brass fittings are great and it was very easy to install next to our house.

I was amazed at how quickly you shipped it. it has been fun to water my garden with rainwater this summer and have found that new spray paint for plastic so maybe at some point I will spray it to match my beige house. Let me know when your other items become available.

Thanks,
Kate Foster

Martin Wallace from Denver, CO wrote:

Aaron,

I got rain barrels from three different outfits at the same time, so got a quick education about them. The rain barrels from Aaron at www.ne-design.net Rain Barrel are by far the best one. The two others both had filling and/or leaking problems from the start. I ordered the Rain Mammoth rain barrel system from Aaron and the set-up was quick, easy, and looked better than either of the other two-one being a plastic one with only a fill spout and the other a metal one with no fill spout as it came and with a drain spigot that leaked from the first time I attached a hose.

The Rain Mammoth Barrel System has worked perfectly This is the only product which I would recommend of the 3 places I ordered from. Besides that, Aaron was always quick to respond to my inquiries, had fair prices, quick delivery and is a good guy on top of that.

Marty Wallace

Gina Wrote:

Aaron,

I love my rain barrel and it solved a problem I was having with all the rain we have been having in Florida this summer. All the rain was pooling in one corner of the back lawn and then flowing over into the back porch. The rain barrel I purchased from you enabled me to funnel the water away from the house through the use of a hose attached to the bottom of the rain barrel. Now my back porch stays dry and that makes me happy.

I was very pleased with the delivery and how fast it got here. I would recommend this product to anyone. Thank you for being out there making this product.

Many thanks,
Gina

Wayne Stollings from Durham, NC wrote:

Mr. Stollings purchased one of my rain barrels. He was interested in using a special adapter that he had found online and wanted to paint his rain barrel green.

If you also want something special or do not see a feature you want on my rain barrels just talk to me. I do all I can to make folks happy.

Great paint job Wayne and nice yard!

Mark Fisher from Plantation, FL wrote:

Thanks so much for the wonderful rain barrel…it’s fantastic!

Jerry Levitz from Sea Girt , NJ wrote:

Aaron, everything is working perfectly … first day in use we collected 55 gallons. Not only was the rainwater great for the garden plants, but it solved a roof/leader drainage problem behind our garage beautifully. No puddles there this time!

Update:

Aaron, FYI, your rain barrel solved another problem for us: Not only has it solved the flooding issue behind our garage, but I have connected a hose to the valve so that when we expect VERY HEAVY rain, I unroll the hose to the street.. reducing the overflow at the barrel and moving the water 30ft away to the storm drain. Cannot begin to think of any easier way to resolve our puddling/ flooding situation.

Jerry

Safe products that help keep your rain barrels clean and protected!

Simple Green (Automotive Cleaner) - Non toxic - Biodegradable - Ammonia Free - Use this product to remove bug, sap and other outdoor rain barrel stains.

Care: Mist the rain barrel with a garden hose and spray this product on it. Leave it for a few minutes and you will see the tars and stains roll off. Take a soft brush and scrub all over the surface of the rain barrel to break up any residue. Then simply spray the rain barrel off with water.

Note: You can also use this product on the inside of your rain barrel.

Armorall (Automotive Preservative) - Sun UV ray protector and preservative that is perfect for rain barrel plastic.

Care: Spray this product on a wet rain barrel and simply rub it in with a cloth. It adds a protective layer that preserves your rain barrels surface from the sun’s damaging UV rays and extreme hot and cold temperatures.

If you use the above mentioned products a few times a season, your rain barrels should last you a lifetime!

We are glad to announce that we now have a good supply of quality barrels for horse racing, training and other events.

“Our barrels can be kicked around for years and never fade, dent or dull”.

Horse Barrel Specifications

• Color: White
• Size - 55 Gallon, perfect size for horse training.
• Texture - Smooth sided so there is less of a chance of hurting a horse or rider.
• Material - Made from rugged (100% Recycled) food grade plastic. Top is non removable and solidly constructed to last.
• Removable Caps - Removable (2″) screw caps on top of barrels. (Warning: The barrels empty weigh 25 pounds so there is really no need to fill them for stability, if you do so, you do this at your own risk, please be smart.)
• UV Protected - Our barrels can be kicked around for years and never fade, dent or dull. If you want to make them shiny and new for an event simply wipe them down with armor-all.
• Easy To Paint - Though blue and white barrels are the most common, some folks like to match the color with the event, barn or even fence. These barrels are very easy to paint. For more: Learn about Painting
• Price: $99 (Free Shipping)

Order:

(or)

Order by Mail

Disclaimer:

We can not take fault for any injury to horse or rider, we are not experts in horse racing. Barrels empty weigh 25 pounds so there is really no need to fill them for stability, if you do so, you do this at your own risk!) Use all precautions required in your sport. Thank You!

Shipping Information:

Free Shipping to anywhere in the United States (Alaska and Hawaii please e-mail us for a quote).

Units shipped Friday (Fed-ex Ground)

Tracking data sent to you via e-mail.

Please remember to include a phone number to give Fed-Ex when you make your purchase.

All our Rain Barrels are 100% insured for safe delivery.

We offer a fully enclosed Rain Barrel in fact, all our units are mosquito proof.

For more information on west nile virus you can also visit the CDC > West Nile Virus Information

Mosquito Hawks - Eliminate Mosquitoes in your yard naturally!

“Last season I noticed dragonfly nymphs in the standing water of a deep bird bath in my front yard. Instead of removing the stagnant water as I always do (to deter mosquitoes from laying eggs) I let the dragonfly’s hatch. It is a known fact the “Mosquito Hawks” love eating mosquitoes so I decided to test this theory. Yes indeed, I have a healthy population of dragonfly’s patrolling my yard devouring insects and have not see a single mosquito even at dusk since the last dragonfly hatch”.

Aaron Pratt - Owner & Craftsman

What can you do to reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard?

Remove any thick vegetation that holds moisture around the yard.

Make sure your rain barrels are fully enclosed by covering them with outdoor mesh or purchase new ones.

If you have a small goldfish pond make sure you keep the water moving with a pump.

If you have a large pond try stocking it with predaceous minnows that eat mosquitoes and larvae. Another thing I am doing this year is hatching dragon flies (mosquito hawks) that feed on mosquitoes.

Remove old tires and other sources of standing water.

What can you do to encourage your neighbors to reduce areas of standing water?

Hand out information on rain barrels, mosquitoes and standing water.

Make rain barrels that are fully enclosed or replace open ended ones.

Consider hatching dragon flies and other natural ways to reduce the mosquito population.

Mosquitoes in Your Garden? Try Planting These! by Scottie Johnson

If you are a serious gardener, you spend lots of time outdoors. And, for sure, you would
rather be tending your plants than swatting mosquitoes.

While there are many things you can do to keep mosquitoes away, there are some plants
that will beautify your yard and help repel mosquitoes.

As one more way to keep mosquitoes away from you and your yard, try planting these
attractive plants.

HORSEMINT

Horsemint has a scent similar to citronella. Horsemint grows wild in most of the Eastern
United States, from Mexico, Texas up to Minnesota to Vermont. It is partial to sandy
soils and will grow in USDA Zones 5-10. Native Americans used it as a treatment for
colds and flu. It has natural fungicidal and bacterial retardant properties because it’s
essential oils are high in thymol.

ROSEMARY

This wonderful herb we use for seasoning is also a great, natural mosquito repellant. It
has been used for centuries to keep pesky mosquitoes away. Rosemary is a native of the
Mediterranean, so it likes hot, dry weather and well-drained soil. It is hardy in USDA
zones 8-10, and must be grown as a pot plant in colder climates. If you happen to live in a
part of the country where rosemary does not grow, you can get a good quality rosemary
essential oil; mix 4 drops with ¼ cup olive oil. Store in a cool, dry place. When it comes
to fresh plant oils as natural mosquito repellants, there is every reason to have the plant in
your yard, if they will grow in your area. It is an inexpensive and attractive way to boost
the appearance of the landscape and have natural mosquito repellants on hand as well.

MARIGOLDS

Organic gardeners have used marigolds as companion plants to keep aphids away.
Mosquitoes don’t like its scent any better (and some humans feel the same way).
Marigolds are sun-loving annuals that come in a variety of shapes and sizes for almost
any landscape. They are quite easy to grow from seed.

AGERATUM

This charming little bedding plant contains coumarin, and mosquitoes detest the smell. It
is used in the perfume industry and is even in some commercial mosquito repellants.
Don’t rub ageratum on your skin, though. It has some other less desirable elements that
you don’t want to keep on your skin in quantity. Ageratums are annuals, and the come in
a muted blue and white that compliments most other plantings.

MOSQUITO PLANTS

There are two types of plants that are called mosquito plants. One is a member of the
geranium family that was genetically engineered to incorporate the properties of
citronella. Citronella only grows in tropical places, but it is a well known repellant for
mosquitoes. This plant was created to bring the repellant properties of citronella into a
hardier plant. It will grow where any geranium will thrive. Many have questioned its
usefulness as a mosquito repellant, but it is attractive enough to warrant planting for it’s
ornamental value.

The other kind of mosquito plant is agastache cana . Its common names include Texas
hummingbird mint, bubblegum mint, giant hyssop, or giant hummingbird mint. As you
might guess, hummingbirds are quite attracted to it.

It is a New Mexico native, also found in parts of Texas. It is, in fact, a member of the
mint family and its leaves do have a pungent aroma when crushed. In its native habitat, it
is perennial, and is usually hardy in USDA Zones 5a-9a. It blooms late summer to early
fall, so it catches hummingbirds on their annual migration. The long, medium pink
flowers reel in butterflies as well.

CATNIP

One of the most powerful mosquito repellant plants is ordinary catnip. Recent studies
have shown that it is ten times more effective than DEET at repelling mosquitoes. It is a
short lived perennial throughout most of the United States. It is easy to grow from seed,
and quickly reseeds. Aside from its intoxicating effects on cats, the leaves make a very
soothing tea.

With all of these plants, the leaves must be crushed to release the aroma. Otherwise
mosquitoes can’t smell them. And, with rosemary and catnip, you can simply crush a few
leaves and rub on your skin and clothing to enhance the effect.

So, next time you are revising your plantings, consider using some of these attractive
plants to do more than just enhance the landscape. You can have pretty ornamentals that
also drive mosquitoes away.

About the Author

Scottie Johnson is a life long mosquito warrior and freelance writer dedicated to
eliminating mosquitoes from your life. She is also an organic gardener. For more
information about mosquito control in your home and yard, visit her website at
http://www.mosquito-kill-net.com/mosquito-plants.html

Copyright 2004 - All Right Reserved

My wife, Ellen, son Henry and I spent a whole summer preparing a new lawn and garden for our newly purchased bungalow. It needed plenty of water to continue growing that year. The only problem was we didn’t want to pay for all that water! This challenged me to design a rain barrel. I made myself four 58 gallon rain barrels from tough, 100% recycled vinegar containers imported from Italy. There is also a great need to recycle them here. When I saw my new creations quickly fill during a rain shower I was convinced that they were worth the time and effort. Since then I have improved upon the design to the point that it is now perfect.

I once sold my rain barrels on eBay and still today have 100% Positive Feedback as a seller, that is, 100% of 266 customers who purchased a barrel liked what they had purchased, this I am proud of!

Thank You for your support,

Aaron Pratt - Craftsman and Owner

When I went looking for information on krylon fusion paint for my rain barrels I couldn’t find anywhere online to purchase it and there was also little instruction on how to apply it to plastic. The following instruction is for those who want to paint a rain barrel but it is also for those who wish to paint any plastic.

And if you don’t feel like painting we have a very quick natural solution for you on our FAQ page.

Our white rain barrel stock blends in well to any surroundings but I wanted to give people access to paint and free instruction. Now people can have a hand crafted, solid, long lasting rain barrel or two that fits their surroundings perfectly! –Aaron Pratt

Most people agree that our rain barrels are simply the best. The only request we have had is for the possibility of a rain barrel that matches the color of their homes. I am now offering a simple solution and access to all the information necessary to paint our rain barrels. It’s easy and fun!

Can I paint my rain barrel?

Yes, Krylon has come out with a new brand of spray paint they call “Fusion” that adheres well to a rain barrels surface. They offer 16 new colors to choose from. I have included product numbers so if you choose to purchase it locally you will know what to ask for. The price of a can of Fusion spray paint is only $5.00 in most retail stores. You can get it as Sears, Walmart and Kmart now.

Do you have any painting tips?

Coverage:

Up to 25 feet on a non-porous surface.

Comment: You will be able to cover a rain barrel with one can of Fusion, but to do a complete job I suggest buying two cans. The barrel will look better with a final spray after the first can is empty. Darker colors require more paint. It is also good to have left over paint for touch up in the future if your barrel gets scraped.

Ideal Conditions:

Well Ventilated Area

50 - 85 degrees in low humidity

For Best Adhesion:

Wipe surface down with an ammonia base cleaner.

Comment: All our Rain Barrels are shipped with a few layers of UV protectant. I use generic window surface cleaner to remove this before sanding. Krylon claims that you do not have to do any preparation to the plastic but I would sand the entire barrel with a 220 grit or finer sand paper before you clean it with an ammonia based solvent. Be sure to use a sand paper that does not leave scratches. This extra step is well worth your time.

How to Paint:

• Cover spigot and overflow valve with masking tape
• Shake can vigorously for 2 minutes
• Hold can 8 to 10 inches from surface
• Spray in sweeping motion keeping even distance from surface
• Begin off the surface and continue each pass off the other side
• Begin by applying a thin coat and wait 30 seconds
• Apply multiple thin coats to avoid runs and drips

Dry Time:

Dries in 15 minutes or less

Handle after 1 hour

Re-coat:

Before 24 hours or after 7 days

Chip Resistance:

Fully chip resistant within 7 days

How do I install a rain barrel with gutters?

The free universal downspout adapter (included with all our 58 gallon rain barrels) can be connected directly to a gutters downspout tube. It’s easy and will take you only a few minutes to complete the installation.

Notice: The downspout adapter pictured below is not a standard fitting, if you also have a smaller or larger tube measure and contact us (after you order) and we will send the correct downspout adapter.

The standard downspout adapter pictured above has the dimensions of: 4" x 3.25 x 2.5"), this adapter is installed by default because it is the most common. There are also all kinds of low cost adapters that will connect to if if yours doesn’t fit.

Place two (leveled) cinder blocks where your rain barrel will sit. This is not required, but it gives better access to the spigot and water flow is improved with gravity. If you do place the barrel directly on the ground make sure it is on top of a hard surface so it doesn’t tip. A full rain barrel weighs over 300 pounds!

Mark down spout tube and cut it with a hacksaw, then just slip the barrel up into the downspout tube as picture below.

Customer Testimonial

Aaron: I’m using two of your standard rain barrels, combined with an elevated 100 gallon resevoir, to catch rain for general use at my farm in Sampson County, NC. I drain the roof of a small utility barn, and it is truly surprising how little rain is required to fill a barrel. I then simply pump water occassionally from the rain barrels to the elevated resevoir for a gravity-fed water supply. A little chlorine bleach keeps the water fresh.  It is a great, low cost system. It is also an environmentally sound example, and a fun engineering project for my children.

Kent Blossom

We make our rain barrels to meet your specific needs. In most cases there is no extra charge for this service. We find that some people have specific rain barrel designs in mind — this is ok. We are happy to accommodate your needs.

Feel free to e-mail us . Nothing is too big for our ingenious craftsman, he enjoys a challenge!

Gayle Johnson from Virginia Beach, VA wrote:

Hi Aaron,
I’m the one wanting the five barrels configured like the Olympic Games logo. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

Testimonial: I have a large, low sloping roof which funneled 1200 gallons per inch/per hour of rainfall into a concrete floored courtyard below. After recent renovations changed the slope below, flooding had been a real threat. Aaron created a set of five interlocking barrels, shaped like the Olympic Games logo, to catch the first 300 gallons and control where the rest goes. I have more free water for irrigation than I can presently use and no longer have to watch anxiously as the trapped rainwater approaches the doorsill. Everyone who comes by wants to get one, too! Thanks, Aaron! Gayle

Marion Moon from Long Island NY wrote:

Here is my photo of the rain barrels all set up. My husband cut the gutter with a hacksaw and used a flexible downspout, very very easy to set up. I just love the idea of using rain water for my shrubs, flowers, and raised vegetable beds. Your rain barrels are great because there is no way for the mosquitoes to breed in the water. In the spring, I plan on planting Russian Comfrey to hide the cinder blocks. Russian comfrey will be cut and tossed into the nearby compost tumbler.

Thank you so very much for making the barrels exactly how I needed them to be for my area. Your customer service and product is just wonderful!

Best Wishes, Marion

Tony Stallin’s from Florida wrote:

I wanted to try a couple barrels with 90 degree overflows (pictured below). He also has 3×4 downspout tubes which are slightly larger than standard ones on typical American homes. He got 3×4 downspout adapters (which we do have in stock along with other sizes) and the special left angled overflows installed at no extra cost!

What is the point here?

1. It is good to measure your downspout tube(s) on your gutters before you order, so if you have a non standard size, we can send you the correct adapters.
2. If you require special upgrades and talk to Aaron before (or right after you order) he will make sure you get exactly what you need.

Wendy from Pennsylvania asked:

To make 2 x (3) rain barrel systems with big 3″ PVC connectors for her barn. She emailed me some great images, here is what she said:

We purchased rain barrels from you a yr ago and promissed you some shots, but since we don’t have a digital camera nor do our friends we had to wait till someone came along that we could ask and finally some pics. They have worked out very well other then sinking a bit and we had to empty them, put more fill under them and let them refill which of course is very easy, they may need a little more fill under them again at some pt, a few have the spigots close to the wood but we can still get the hose attached.

It is important to make a firm concrete, sand or gravel base to support your rain barrels, a single barrel when full weighs over 300 pounds, thanks for the images Wendy!

Ted from Arizona wrote:

I received the three rain barrels and installed them in less than an hour yesterday afternoon. Last night we received 3/4 inch of rain which filled all three barrels. Water conservation in Payson AZ is very important and we look forward to doing our part by using this water to reduce our usage of city water. Thanks for the high quality product.

The hose on the barrel on the left is the first to overflow when barrels are full and the one on the right barrel handles the excess with a heavy rain.

Answer: I have a page with easy instruction to follow, so yes, you can paint a rain barrel!

Tip: Want to hide your rain barrel the natural way? Get some plastic mesh and plant a hardy ivy near bye, allow the ivy to climb up the mesh and cover the rain barrel or build a simple box or fence out of trellis.

Question: I am concerned about mosquitoes and the west nile virus are your rain barrels safe?

Answer: Yes, this was also a major concern of ours so we designed ALL our rain barrels to be mosquito safe. Related: mosquito hawks.

Question: Can I use Armor-all car plastic preservative on my rain barrel?

Answer: Yes you can. We recommend using a product like this a couple times a year to brighten, condition and protect your rain barrels giving them a long life. All our rain barrels are also vented to stop expansion from hot and cold temperatures which under the right circumstances could crack a rain barrel. We have yet to have a single complaint about a rain barrel cracking (and we have many customers in northern regions) but if the conditions are there the vent will save a barrel from harm.

New: Interested in learning what products we use for rain barrel care?

Question: We have had rain and the barrel has about 8 inches of water in it. The flow of water from the spigot is minimal. Any suggestions?

Answer: All rain barrels rely on gravity for flow. They are not pressurized like the water in your house. The more water in your barrel the greater flow. If you want a flush valve installed on your rain barrel simply purchase the irrigation rain barrel , it is a super deal!

Question: If your barrels are sealed how can I clean mine inside?

Answer: Simple, just drain your barrel and pull it away from the house. Stick a hose in the open down spout hole and spray it out. You can also connect a garden hose from your house directly up to the spigot on the rain barrel (it’s threaded) and flush it out. We find the barrels water is usually clean. The "food grade" quality of the plastic makes them not friendly to germs and microbes.

Question: How does one use these barrels to water a lawn? Can some type of pump be hooked up to a lawn sprinkler to spread water over lawn?

Answer: There isn’t a way to pressurize a rain barrel without some major expense. Use the water tower principle. Place your rain barrel up high on two leveled cinder blocks using gravity to your advantage. Aaron wrote up a great tutorial on how to build a rain barrel stand recently.

Question: How do you ship these with out the faucet breaking off in the process?

Answer: Each fitting on my rain barrels are drilled, threaded, wrapped with Teflon Tape and glued tight with liquid weld. They should hold tight even in the harshest shipping conditions. Our rain barrels are made to last. You don’t know how many people order rain barrels from us after their other rain barrels spigot snapped off. We have yet to have a single issue with damage during or after shipping. Aaron’s Rain Barrels are insured 100% for travel via the outstanding Fed-ex Ground Service, they arrive in a big brown box made from recycled materials.

Question: I live in the mountains at 8,000 feet and would like to purchase a rain barrel from you. Will the plastic crack if I leave it out all winter?

Answer: We live in New England and had one of the harshest winters last year. We left a rain barrel connected to a gutters downspout on the sunny side of the house to test it. It survived the winter without a crack and we used the water for my indoor plants. Read about rain barrels in winter.

Question: I’m really impressed with your rain barrel design and commitment to quality. I was planning to make my own rain barrels, but now I’m thinking of just buying yours instead!

However, I am not sure if I should order the Rain Mammoth (summer item, feel free to contact us about this), or two barrels that can be attached to separate down spouts. I am thinking that 2 barrels, each hooked up to separate down spouts, would gather water more quickly than the 2 joined barrels attached to a single down spout. Any thoughts on that?

Answer: Yes indeed, if you have two places to connect barrels, buy two individual units but make sure you choose the larger overflow option. You might be surprised how fast these thing fill from average sized rooftop runoff.

Question: How long does it take to fill a rain barrel?

Answer: One inch of rain on a 1000 square foot rooftop yields 600 gallons of water. To calculate how much rain water your rooftop will produce multiply the square footage of your roof by 600 and divide by 1000. You will quickly see that it is not out of the question to own more than one rain barrel.

Have further questions, contact us

A good basic rain barrel for those without gutters and downspout tubes. Just place this rain barrel in the path of pooled rooftop runoff and it will soak it up thru it’s venting system. Or if you have a downspout tube simply direct water to its surface.

I don’t have a gutter can your rain barrels soak up the water without having a direct connection to a gutter’s downspout tube?

Yes it sure can, simply place under an area of good rooftop rainwater run-off, like in the valleys to collect pooled water flow. The top of the rain barrel is flat with a rim that acts as a pan to funnel rainwater into the vents. It works flawlessly!

The rain barrel can be easily adapted for those who do have gutters as well. Simply cut your downspout tube to the correct length and find an adapter at a local hardware store.

Screened aluminum louver collects rain

	Aaron’s - Gutterless Rain Barrel
	New: Free Overflow Valve Upgrades	$140.00		(or) Order by Mail

Shipping Information:

Free Shipping to anywhere in the United States (Alaska and Hawaii please e-mail us for a quote).

Units shipped Friday (Fed-ex Ground)

Tracking data sent to you via e-mail.

Please remember to include a phone number to give Fed-Ex when you make your purchase.

All our Rain Barrels are 100% insured for safe delivery.

Specifications

Volume: 15 Gallons
Height: 26.3″
Diameter:14.6″
Normal Weight: 7.5 lbs
Material: HDPE (Food Grade)
Color: Blue (Paintable)
Mosquito Stopper: 2″ Buttress Cap (Removable for rinsing out)
Downspout Adapter: 4″ x 3.25 x 2.5″ (Adaptive)
Diverter: 1 1/2″ PVC

Only $115.00 (Free Shipping)

	Aaron’s - Downspout Diverter - Save a lake, dry a basement!
	Downspout Diverter 15 Gallon   Read about our > Downspout Diverter	$115.00		(or) Order by Mail

Have a goldfish pond you want to fill and refresh?

Many folks have small goldfish ponds on their properties and are tired of having to pay to fill them up each season. Just attach this unit to a downspout tube, run the hose to the pond and refresh the water every time it rains. If you notice there is a space below where the overflow valve on the barrel is. This space catches shingle flakes and other debris so only clean rainwater flows to the pond.

Have a lake you want to save from run-off pollutants?

Most do not realize that one of the main causes of lake and pond pollution comes from storm water run-off. If you have a pond or lake you want to save you can start by using these low cost water diverters to send water to the backyard and away from the once pristine lake or pond environment. This rainwater diverter really works!

Shipping Information:

Free Shipping to anywhere in the United States (Alaska and Hawaii please e-mail us for a quote).

Units shipped Friday (Fed-ex Ground)

Tracking data sent to you via e-mail.

Please remember to include a phone number to give Fed-Ex when you make your purchase.

All our Rain Barrels are 100% insured for safe delivery.

Our recycled plastic barrels are a top seller but we often have folks ask if we can make them a high quality whiskey barrel. The only reason we haven’t offered whiskey barrels is that an empty whiskey barrel weighs 125 pounds and the logistics and cost to get them shipped is large. Well it turns out that people do not mind spending more on oak barrels as long as they are getting something unique. Our whiskey barrels are simply the best and use a clever new diverter to collect rain. We combine tradition with function and make the most beautiful and useful oak rainwater harvesting system around, enjoy!

Oak Barrels - Made out of the finest wood

Our wooden barrels come from Kentucky distilleries and were once filled with bourbon. We receive freshly prepped white oak (Quercus Alba) barrels and make them into quality rain barrels. Before the oak barrels arrive here they are repaired, and inspected by a Kentucky cooperage that has been in business since 1963. It’s this added attention to detail that makes our wood barrels #1.

Wiskey Barrel - 110 Pounds of Oak, Brass & Steel

We do not cut corners on the parts because we know that a good wooden rain barrel lasts a lifetime and is often passed down from one generation to the next. All fittings on the barrel are solid brass and threaded to attach standard varieties of garden hose. Barrel Size: (34H x 24W x 22Top)

Heavy Steel Hoops and Thick Oak Barrel Staves

The rugged steel hoops that hold the oak barrel staves together tight look great when they start to tarnish with rust (though they can be painted). We have a barrel here that was in the salt air on an ocean dock for years and the steel is still solid. Weathered barrels are beautiful and you will enjoy watching yours age. It is important to us to start you off with young oak barrels for the reasons described above.

Whiskey Barrel with Irrigation Spigot

Our top selling plastic barrels come with an irrigation spigot that is great for attaching a "soaker" or regular garden hose to. You can then run it to a garden or flower bed to keep an area watered. This zinc (removable) irrigation spigot has a shutoff valve so you can leave it open for drip irrigation or closed after you water the roses. We now are including this great feature on our whiskey barrels.

Installation is easy, simply cut the supplied downspout tubing to the right length with scissors, attach it to the downspout diverter, then screw it onto the brass fitting on top of the barrel!

Crafting the perfect wooden rainwater harvesting system

Our master craftsman Aaron decided early that keeping the structure of the oak barrel solid would require less drilling and cutting of the rain barrel core. Our plastic rain barrels are lightweight and easy to pull away from the house to spray out a couple times a season if needed. An empty (water saturated) oak rain barrel can weigh 125 pounds so it is not logical to move it for maintenance. Aaron knew it would require an external rainwater diverter that does not let anything larger than silt particles to enter the barrel.

An easy to install rainwater diverter that really works

Our oak rain barrels come with an easy to install rainwater diverter making them not just rain barrels but complete rainwater harvesting systems. What the diverter does is separate just enough water to fill a barrel then the rest of the rainwater exits your existing drainage system. The diverter separates leaves and larger debris out so the rain barrel will never get clogged. The diverter’s hose connecter and the rain barrels brass connector fittings are ALL standard garden hose variety so if you would like to run a hose around a corner to reach a barrel on a porch it is easily attached. Just remove the supplied existing (white) hose and cut and attach a piece of garden hose to it and you can locate your beautiful whiskey barrel anywhere you choose!

Each diverter comes with easy to follow instructions and we are always here to assist with setup.

We will have a good but limited supply of whiskey barrels. We can also custom cut the barrels, add overflows and downspout adapters if you choose. It’s all about supplying you with something you will enjoy for years and we do not mind doing a little extra for you.

Kind regards,
Aaron Pratt - Craftsman & Owner

	Aaron’s Absolute Best - Whiskey Barrel and Diverter.
	$275 plus $25 shipping Thanks for helping out with the shipping cost, it is well over $100 to ship these units. See other rain barrels	Temporarily out of Stock!

Shipping Information:

Will Ship to anywhere in the United States (Alaska and Hawaii please e-mail us for a quote).

Units shipped Friday (Fed-ex Ground)

Tracking data sent to you via e-mail.

Please remember to include a phone number to give Fed-Ex when you make your purchase.

All our Rain Barrels are 100% insured for safe delivery.

Rain Barrels are not pressurized like the faucets in your home and require completely different irrigation devices to get the water to your plants. Irrigation from a rain barrel needs to be slow and metered so when you are away from your house for a few days your barrel(s) will not be empty before you return. Simply attach an ordinary soaker hose (drip irrigation hose) to this unit’s zinc irrigation spigot, run it to a garden or flowerbed and you will no longer have to water your plants manually. Your tomato plants will love it! If you live in a dry climate be sure to cover the soaker hose with a little mulch to keep it from drying out.

Your irrigation system also comes with a solid brass spigot to allow you to get pails of water while the other irrigation spigot is busy irrigating your plants. Both the irrigation spigot and regular spigot are threaded to use ordinary garden hose.

Rain Barrel Specifications

The difference between the irrigation system and our standard rain barrel is that this unit has two spigots (one being the irrigation spigot - both are threaded for garden/soaker hose).

Made from 20 pounds of thick 100% recycled food grade plastic.

Dimensions: 36″ X 23″ (inches)

Color: Cool White - (Paintable)

Our 58 gallon rain barrels are fully enclosed for children’s safety.

Free Universal Down Spout Adapter for direct connection to any gutter included as part of this offer.

Quality Mosquito Stopper aids in heat related expansion giving your barrel a long life. This screw cap seen on the top (front) of the barrel can be removed for rinsing the barrel out.

Solid Brass Spigot also threaded for garden hose.

Free painting instructions

Your choice of threaded Brass Overflow Valve that connects to any standard garden hose to divert excess water away from your home during a rain shower or a larger 1 1/2 PVC Storm Flush Valve - Read: Options.

Price : $165 (Free Shipping)

	Aaron’s Irrigation System for Gardeners
	New: Free Overflow Valve Upgrades See other rain barrels	$175.00		(or) Order by Mail

Shipping Information:

Free Shipping to anywhere in the United States (Alaska and Hawaii please e-mail us for a quote).

Units shipped Friday (Fed-ex Ground)

Tracking data sent to you via e-mail.

Please remember to include a phone number to give Fed-Ex when you make your purchase.

All our Rain Barrels are 100% insured for safe delivery.

This barrel continues to be our most popular item because of price and quality.

Specifications:

Made from 20 pounds of thick 100% recycled food grade plastic.

Dimensions: 36″ (high) X 23″ (wide)

Color: Cool White - (Paintable)

Our 58 gallon rain barrels are fully enclosed for children’s safety.

Free Universal Down Spout Adapter for direct connection to any gutter included as part of this offer.

Quality Mosquito Stopper aids in heat related expansion giving your barrel a long life. This screw cap seen on the top (front) of the barrel can be removed for rinsing the barrel out.

Solid Brass Spigot also threaded for garden hose.

Free painting instructions

Your choice of threaded Brass Overflow Valve that connects to any standard garden hose to divert excess water away from your home during a rain shower or a larger 1 1/2 PVC Storm Flush Valve - Read: Options.

Price : $150 (Free Shipping)

	Aaron’s - Standard Rain Barrel (Best Buy!)
	New: Free Overflow Valve Upgrades   See other rain barrels	$150.00		(or) Order by Mail

Shipping Information:

Free Shipping to anywhere in the United States (Alaska and Hawaii please e-mail us for a quote).

Units shipped Friday (Fed-ex Ground)

Tracking data sent to you via e-mail.

Please remember to include a phone number to give Fed-Ex when you make your purchase.

All our Rain Barrels are 100% insured for safe delivery.

We will upgrade the standard 3/4 overflow valve on your rain barrel to a larger 1 1/2 inch overflow valve for free if you choose.

Default 3/4 inch Overflow Valve - Thread for regular garden hose

Free 1 1/2 Upgrade - PVC Overflow works with standard 1 1/2 inch sump pump hose

Why would someone need a larger overflow valve?

By default when our standard rain barrel fills rainwater will go out the overflow valve and down an ordinary garden hose but what happens when there is a HUGE downpour?

Simple, some goes out the overflow valve and the rest of the rainwater goes out another downspout tube on your home because it is a larger exit point.

What if you do not have another downspout tube or your rooftop is very large and produces too much rain water during a storm?

Have us install a larger 1 1/2 inch overflow valve so it is able to direct larger amounts of water away from your home thru ordinary sump pump hose. People use this option for filling goldfish ponds, directing storm water runoff, drying up wet basements and unwanted backyard swamps. You will be able to choose what size overflow valve you would like during the secure checkout process.

1 1/2 inch Sump pump hose by Flotec (9.95 Home Depot for 21 feet)

Note: If out of stock or you live too far away to drive simply purchase the hose online below.

Back to the rain barrels

How do you stop your rain barrels from backing up with ice?

Simply leave the spigot open during the warmer daytime hours, this will flush out your barrel. Winter ice melt is nitrogen rich and excellent for indoor plants, so grab a few gallons in a watering can. Do not forget to allow the cold water to reach room temperature before feeding your hungry indoor foliage. We also run a hose from the spigot away from our houses foundation because that area tends to become a swamp. Our rain barrels can handle the heat of summer and the frigid cold of winter, this is now a proven fact!

Rain Barrel Ice Melt Videos Anyone?

Note: In the whiskey barrel video you will hear a wind chime in the background.

1. Ice Melting Rain Barrel (510kb)
2. Ice Melting Whiskey Barrel (509kb)